This is a collection of articles dealing with organic gardening, ecology, environmental restoration, news items of interest, travel and just about anything else I find of interest and willing to share with others around the globe. - ENJOY!

Friday, January 13, 2017

Mysterious light pillars in Canada's night sky

Okay, so I don't really like Snow and often say that if I never see snow again it will still be too soon, But I admit this was kool! 😁

Image Credit Allisha Libby

The image above are a phenomena known as Light Pillars. This shot here was one from Alaska and featured on NASA's blog in February 2015. Here is a description of what causes this phenomena.

"Explanation: What's happening behind those houses? Pictured here are not auroras but nearby light pillars, a nearby phenomenon that can appear as a distant one. In most places on Earth, a lucky viewer can see a Sun-pillar, a column of light appearing to extend up from the Sun caused by flat fluttering ice-crystals reflecting sunlight from the upper atmosphere. Usually these ice crystals evaporate before reaching the ground. During freezing temperatures, however, flat fluttering ice crystals may form near the ground in a form of light snow, sometimes known as a crystal fog. These ice crystals may then reflect ground lights in columns not unlike a Sun-pillar. The featured image was taken in Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks in central Alaska."

There was a recent Youtube video posted by a Canadian on this very phenomena. He gives a nice description and explanation below in his video.

Ever wonder where Hollywood gets many of it's ideas for Sci-Fi flicks ?

Image - Pinterest

Many have commented on how the natural phenomena looks very close to those images in a Star Trek flick showing transporter technology. Star Trek-like teleportation remains pure fantasy - for now at least. But the natural phenomena special effects for which they may well have plagerized for the movies is very real.